That's OK...I've been going to the same PCP for over 6 years, now. I have the lung form of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, and at every visit the nurses go down the list of standard questions. I'm always, and I mean ALWAYS, asked if I smoke. The answer is always, and I mean ALWAYS, no. You would think that after so much time they would get a clue...You may ask why I don't switch PCP's. Well, I like her. She's great and she understands my unique problems. Plus, when I feel a lung issue coming on, she'll call in the scripts I need without me having to schlep into her office, exposing myself to the myriad of "hypochondriacs" taking up space in her waiting room. She just needs Dr. Grumpy's nursing staff...

Anonymous, it's a coding issue for billing purposes - providers (or their staff) have to ask certain questions in different categories (medical, family, social) in order to bill for a certain amount of money from your insurance. Smoking, alcohol & drug use are medically relevant and a part of a "social history." "Getting a clue" isn't the issue -- it's all about the money. If you came to our internal medicine practice, you'd get the same question every visit.

Welcome to my whining!

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